You've heard it. Even if you don't think you have, you definitely have. It’s that explosive, slightly aggressive, yet entirely celebratory verbal punctuation that pops up every time someone nails a trick shot or a politician makes a point. Boom there it is isn't just a meme; it’s a cultural fossil that’s somehow still alive and kicking. Honestly, it’s kinda weird how a phrase from the early '90s manages to stay so relevant in an era of TikTok trends that usually die in forty-eight hours.
Most people think it started with the song. You know the one—Tag Team’s "Whoomp! (There It Is)." But the reality is a bit messier and way more interesting than just a one-hit wonder from 1993. It’s a story about Atlanta hip-hop, a massive dispute over a single letter, and a French duo that somehow got caught in the crossfire.
The Great "Whoomp" vs. "Whoot" War
Before the phrase became a staple at every NBA game and middle school dance in America, there was a legitimate battle for its soul. In 1993, two different groups released nearly identical tracks within a few months of each other.
First, there was 95 South with "Whoot, There It Is." Then came Tag Team with "Whoomp! (There It Is)." If you grew up in the 90s, you probably remember the confusion. The Tag Team version—Cecil "DC the Brain Supreme" Glenn and Steve "Rolln" Gibson—is the one that became the monster hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
But where did it actually come from?
It wasn't a boardroom marketing idea. It was a strip club phrase. Specifically, it came out of Magic City in Atlanta. DC the Brain Supreme was a DJ there, and he noticed that whenever a dancer did something particularly impressive, the crowd would shout "Whoomp, there it is!" It was organic. It was loud. It was perfect for a club anthem.
The phrase boom there it is is often the way people mishear or remix these titles. It’s a linguistic evolution. We like the percussive "B" sound. It feels more final. It feels like an explosion.
Why the Mishearing Stuck
Humans are funny with language. We tend to gravitate toward "plosives"—those sharp sounds like P, T, and B. "Whoomp" is soft at the start. "Boom" is a punch to the gut.
Over the decades, as the original songs faded into the "classic throwback" category, the phrase morphed. It became a general-purpose exclamation of victory. You see it in cooking shows when a chef plates a dish. You see it in sports highlights. It’s become the verbal equivalent of a mic drop.
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The Viral Resurrection
If you spend any time on social media, you’ve likely seen the GEICO commercial featuring Tag Team. It’s probably one of the most successful "nostalgia" ads ever made. Seeing DC and Steve in a kitchen helping a suburban mom make "Scoop, there it is" (French vanilla, sprinkles, chocolate syrup) didn’t just sell insurance. It reignited the phrase for a generation that wasn’t even born when the original cassette single was released.
It worked because it didn't take itself seriously.
- It leaned into the cheesiness.
- It utilized the rhythmic nature of the phrase.
- It reminded us that some hooks are just permanent.
There's something about the cadence. Three syllables. A buildup and a payoff. Boom there it is follows that exact same rhythmic DNA. It provides a sense of closure to an action.
The French Connection (And No, It’s Not What You Think)
A weird side note in the history of this phrase involves the French duo 2 Unlimited. While they didn't use the exact phrase, their hit "Get Ready for This" often gets mashed up with the "Whoomp/Boom" energy in stadiums. This created a sort of "Jock Jams" soup in our collective memory.
We don't remember the individual artists as much as we remember the feeling of 20,000 people yelling a rhythmic confirmation of a slam dunk.
Is It Still Relevant?
Kinda. Maybe. Actually, yeah.
Search volume for "boom there it is" and its variations spikes every time a major pop-culture moment happens. When the Chicago Bulls were dominant? Huge. When the 90s nostalgia wave hit in the late 2010s? Massive.
But there’s a nuance here. If you use it today, you’re either being ironic or you’re "of a certain age." It has reached "Dad Joke" status, which is actually the safest place for a phrase to live. It can't be killed because it's already transitioned into the realm of the classic.
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Common Misconceptions
People often argue about whether it’s "Whoomp" or "Whoot."
- 95 South (Whoot) claims they were first.
- Tag Team (Whoomp) has the platinum records.
- The general public mostly says "Boom" because it’s easier to shout.
None of them are "wrong," but if you're looking for the definitive cultural touchstone, it's the Atlanta club scene of the early 90s. That’s the epicenter. Everything else is just an echo.
How to Use It Without Cringing
If you're going to use boom there it is in your content or your life, you have to lean into the energy. It’s not a subtle phrase. It’s a bold one.
Don't use it for small wins. Don't use it because you found your car keys. Use it when you've finished a project that took six months. Use it when you finally fix that leak in the sink that’s been driving you crazy.
- Timing is everything: The "Boom" needs to land exactly as the result is revealed.
- Context matters: It’s a high-energy phrase. It doesn't work in a library or a funeral. Usually.
- Vibe check: If the room is Gen Z, maybe stick to "bet" or just a silent nod. If the room is Gen X or Millennials, you're golden.
The Psychology of the Catchphrase
Why do we do this? Why do we need these little verbal markers?
Psychologists often point to "social signaling." When we use a shared phrase like boom there it is, we are signaling that we belong to a certain cultural group. We are acknowledging a shared history. It’s a shortcut to connection.
It also provides a "hedonic hit." There is a genuine, albeit small, dopamine release when we successfully complete a task and punctuate it with a vocalization. It’s like the period at the end of a sentence. Without it, the achievement feels slightly unfinished.
The Actionable Takeaway
Look, you don't need a degree in musicology to appreciate the staying power of a good hook. The journey of boom there it is from an Atlanta dance floor to a national insurance commercial is a masterclass in how culture actually works. It's not top-down; it's bottom-up.
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If you want to tap into this kind of longevity in your own work—whether you're a creator, a marketer, or just someone trying to be heard—stop looking for "polished" and start looking for "visceral."
Find the phrases people are already saying when they’re excited. Find the natural "booms" in your industry. Don't try to invent a catchphrase in a boardroom. Go to where the people are already shouting.
To really make an impact with this stuff, follow these steps:
Audit your brand voice. Are you using "corporate speak" when a simple, punchy exclamation would do? People trust authenticity over polish every single time.
Watch the trends, but respect the classics. You can jump on the latest TikTok audio, but knowing the "Whoomp! (There It Is)" roots gives you a layer of cultural literacy that prevents you from looking like a "fellow kids" meme.
Use rhythmic punctuation. Whether you’re writing an email or giving a presentation, use the "Rule of Three." Build the tension, deliver the result, and give it a beat.
Embrace the evolution. Don't get hung up on the "correct" version of a phrase. Language belongs to the people who use it. If the world decided it’s "Boom" instead of "Whoomp," then for all intents and purposes, it’s Boom.
The most important thing to remember is that culture is a conversation. It's messy, it's loud, and it's constantly misquoting itself. And honestly? That's exactly how it should be.